I recently caught up with Charity Lynette of Curvy Chick Fitness. Miss Lynette was inspired to engage in a healthy lifestyle after the untimely death of her mother. Since then, she has committed herself to teaching fellow plus size women on how they can stay in shape. In this interview, we chatted about long-term goals, the new wave of body positive across social media and how she performs her daily workout regimen.

Empower: What are your long-term goals for Curvy Chick Fitness?

Charity Lynette: Well really, I would like to create a boutique-like space for women to feel comfortable exercising in. Many women may feel uncomfortable around skinnier chicks, so I would love to create a safe space for that group of women.

Empower: What is your daily workout regimen like?

Lynette: I like to always start my day off with water or tea. As for working out, it really depends on my schedule on what kind of workout I do. I don’t always have the the time to go to the gym, but I ride my bike everywhere so that I’m putting in 20 mi every day.

Empower: How do you think more women can educate themselves on nutrition?

Lynette: Well obviously, if you have obligations like family, you won’t have enough time to do research on top of research. But there’s other ways you can get info such as say, Instagram, or asking a friend who is currently going through a weight loss program.

Empower: How do you feel about this new wave of body positivity?

Lynette: On the one hand, it’s amazing. I mean, it’s great to see more plus size women on TV, to see more of these women being celebrated. But if you’re like a size 24, that’s not good, you know? So, if you want to be happy in the shape that you’re in, then go for it. But if you know you’re not at a healthy weight, then that’s not something you should celebrate.

Empower: What is your advice to women who have a hard time committing to a consistent workout regimen?

Lynette: It’s best to start off with small steps instead of trying to overwhelm yourself by hitting the gym 4 days a week for 30 mins. It could be as simple as taking the stairs at work or walking a few blocks from work from the bus stop. I also suggest experimenting with classes to see what you like. Something has to stick. As for food, just going on your phone and surveying the ingredients helps a lot. That way, you can calculate calories.

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